Game and practice apparatus



June 21, 1938.- J. F. VAUGHAN GAME AND PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l June 21, 1938., J. F. VAUGHAN GAME AND PRACTICE APPARATUS 6 Sheetsv-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1930 June 2l, 1938. `J F, VAUGHAN 2, 21,75()

GAME AND PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed Jan. '9, 195o e Sheets-sheet 3 June 21, 1938. J, F, VAUGHAN 2,121,750

GAME AND PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9,' 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig/4,

z en or' i W M my June 2l, 1.938." J. F. VAUGHAN 2,121,750

GAME AND PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 2l, 1938. .J.F. VAUGHAN I GAME AND PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jij/9a y ,717'1 Rg. 2a

Patented June 21, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application January 9,

61 Claims.

The present invention relates to game and practice apparatus and to methods of operating the same.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a game and practice apparatus which shall be of simple and inexpensive construction, which will provide entertainment for and hold the interest of the participants, whichV will not only require the exercise of the skill and strength of the players but will develop and improve the same, which will simulate well established games and sports to such an extent as to become an adjunct for the practice of the same or a substitute therefor, which by reason of the limited amount of space required is adapted for home use, both indoors and outdoors, and which on account of its ability to record accurately the results of the players efforts is particularly adapted for instruction and demonstration uses.

With these objects in view the present invention consists in the devices and combinations of devices, and the mode of operation hereinafter described and more particularly defined in the claims.

All outdoor games and sports, as a rule, require grounds or fields of considerable area. This is particularly true of those games or sports in which a ball or other article is driven or thrown. The game of golf, for example, is now commonly played over a territory seldom less than fifty acres in extent for small courses and one hundred and iifty acres or more for the larger courses. The average player frequently makes shots of two hundred yards in length, and the more skilful often reach three hundred yards and over. Obviously the playing or even practicing of such a sport in the average players home grounds or within doors is impossible, and although many previous attempts have been made to provide apparatus which may be used within the confines of private grounds or indoors, either for the purpose of recreation, or exercise, or practice, none of these has thus far achieved any substantial commercial success on account of the inability of the player to determine or measure with reasonable accuracy the results accomplished in terms of his skill and ability.

One form of golf practice apparatus comprises an enclosure usually in the form of top and side nets with a back wall of netting or canvas, the player standing at the open end and driving the ball against the back wall. Such an enclosure or cage as it is called is usually installed indoors and is necessarily limited in size, often permitting 1930, Serial No. 419,564

the iiight of the ball of feet.

No satisfactory method or apparatus has as yet been devised whereby the player may determine the distance his ball would have traveled had he been in the open, this being left entirely to his own judgment and estimate which necessarily is most inexact. The attempt to simulate or imitate a game of golf, or even the play of a single hole, with such an apparatus is hopeless since it necessarily lacks all the features which make the game of golf interesting and fascinating, such as the determination of the length of the tee shot, the carrying of traps and bunkers at definite distances, and the accurate gaging of the shots to the green which vary in distance from the short chip of a few yards to the full shot of two hundred yards or more.

The present invention, on the other hand, provides not only for the determination of the normal distance the ball would have traveled in the open, but may record such distance in a manner which by reason of its analogy or resemblance to the determination of such distance on the actual playing field, adds realism and interest to the use of the apparatus. v

Furthermore, the present invention contemplates the determination of direction of flight and also records this, in connection with the distance, in a realistic and highly interesting manner.

Still further refinements of the present invention are the providing for the effect of the wind, of varying direction and velocity, so that conditions still further approximate those of actual play and the player is compelled to adapt his shots to such conditions or suffer the consequences in the same manner as upon the golf course itself.

All of these features are combined in a simple, inexpensive apparatus requiring no more space than can ordinarily be found on the players own ground, or in an attic or cellar, or in a club house, and thus not only will enable one to play a game in many features corresponding exactly to the actual game, but will also permit him to secure practice and instruction at times and under conditions which would itself render play upon the course or practice out of doors impossible.

In the accompanying drawings is shown a form of the present invention as adapted for a golf game and practice apparatus. This comprises, briefly, a netting enclosure or cage, having a back curtain of canvas or other suitable material against which the ball is driven by the player,

only fifteen or twenty from the open end of the cage. By means of a timing device controlled first by the balls leaving the tee, and second, by its striking the curtain,.

the duration of time of night is actually determined or measured, and from such determination or measurement, the distance the ball would have traveled normally in the open is determined. The normal travel of the ball in distance and direction is visually indicated by means of a spotlight projected upon a plan or representation of the fairway being played, the spotlight being caused to travel by automatic mechanism from the tee or lie on the fairway and toward'the hole a dis-. tance corresponding to that indicated by the timing mechanism.

The curtain is divided laterally into a number of narrow zones, and by means of suitable mechanism any deviation from the desired direction of the ball so that the latter strikes one or another of these zones causes a corresponding deviation of the spotlight from the straight and correct direction intended.

Mechanism has also been `provided which produces on the length and direction of flight or movement of the phantom ball or spotlight an effect simulating that ordinarily carried by the wind on the ball played in the open.

Fig. 1 ofthe drawings shows in isometric projection the timing and projecting apparatus together with the mechanism for indicating lateral deflection or mis-direction due to failureof'the player to drive his ball in the true or desired course, many details being omitted for the sake of clearness; Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations 90 apart vof the actuating spring and dashpot mechanism for the timing and projecting mechanism; Figs. fl and 5 are isometric views of the wind deflection mechanism, and Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the dashpot for use in connection with the same; Fig. '7 is a side vieW, largely in vertical section, showing the'pedestal for supporting the timing and projecting mechanism and the connections for the wind deflection devices; Figs. 8 and 9 aredetails on'an'enlarged scale of the slotted guides and cross-head-for actuating the projector from Lthe timing mechanism; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail of the timing quadrant showing the stop shoulder and inclined face adjacent thereto; Fig. 11 is a detail on an enlarged scale, largely in vertical section, of the adjustable connections for the wind delection device. and Fig. 12 is a top plan View of a portion of the same With the top clamping nut removed; Fig. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section on an enlarged scale of the clutchmechanism for rendering the projector actuating devices operative; Fig. 14 isa side elevation of the tee switch which is controlled by the ball at the tee; Fig. l5 is a top plan and Fig. 16 an axial elevation of a modied form of mechanism for indicating a varying extent of deilection of the ball from the true course; Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 18 is a fragmentary detail ofthe mechanism shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is a vertical section on line IQ-IB of Fig. 16 on anenlarged scale; Fig. 20 is a top plan of the cage and other apparatus; Fig. 21 is a side view of the same on line- 2 I-Zl of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is an end View of the cage as seen by the player; Fig. 23 is an enlarged side elevation showing theY arrangement of the back curtain, the supplementary curtain, and one of the curtain switches; Figs. 24 and 25 are a top plan and a vertical section respectively on enlarged scale ofthe closed curtain switch used behind the screen and opposite the'middle thereof, while Figs. 26 and 27 are corresponding views of the open curtain switches employed at each side of the middle; Fig. 28 is a diagrammatic view of the electric wiring for the apparatus, and Fig. 29 is an enlarged View of the back screen showing at one side thereof the representation or plan or the fairway or hole being played.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises fotu major parts, the timer for measuring or determining the distance the ball would have traveled normally in the open, the projector for indicating visually the distance and direction of flight of the ball, the director for determining and through the projector indicating the direction of the ball Whether straight or to one side or the other of the true or desired course, and

the wind deilection device for imparting and indicating through the projector the effect of the predetermined direction and velocity of the wind.

The control devices for the timer, projector, director, and wind deflection device are all electrically operated. The requisite power for actuating the timer, projector, and wind deflection device is supplied from springs. The power for the director is electric.

In Fig. 1 is shown in perspective a tilting and swiveling, flat base 3l upon which are mounted the timing, projecting and directing mechanisms. This base is supported on the vertical spindle 32, see Figs. 4 and 7, mounted in the pedestal 33.

The timer comprises a quadrant 34 mounted to rotate in an anti-clockwise manner, as viewed in Fig. 1, under the influence of the coiled spring 35, the rate or speed of movement being controlled by the dashpot 36. This dashpot, see Figs. 2 and 3, is of the hydraulic type containing oil or other suitable liquid, and comprises a piston 3'! xed to the end of piston rod 38 and having a plurality of holes or apertures 39. An imperforate disk Il! tting loosely on the piston rod normally rests upon the top of the piston 31 and closes apertures 39. When the piston is descending, however, the disk Il! lags behind, thereby uncovering the openings 39 and facilitating the downward movement of the piston and rod.

The piston rod projects through the closed top of the dashpot and is connected at 42 to a strap or other flexible connection 43, the opposite end of which is secured at M to the drum 45 fixed upon one end of the shaft d1 which carries at its opposite end the quadrant 3d. The inner end of the spiral spring 35 is secured to the shaft while the outer end is held in xed position by the pin i8 mounted in the arm 49 on the cylindrical sleeve or bearing 5| at the upper end of the support 52 mounted upon the base 3 I Provision is made in the dashpot for the flow of liquid from a point above to a point below the piston during the operating or upward stroke of the latter, and this is accomplished by means of a by-pass or pipe 54, the lower end of which enters the bottom of the dashpot below the piston, while the` upper end enters the side of the dashpot above the piston. The rate of flow through this by-pass or pipe is regulated to control the rate of movement of the piston within the dashpot by means of the valve 55 adjustably mounted in the lower end of the lever 56 pivoted within the dashpot at 51. The valve 55 by means of its threaded shank and knurled head may be adjusted to give the desired opening and rate of iiow.

The purpose of the lever upon which the valve Vis mounted is to provide for they bodily movement of the valve during the upward movement of the l'es piston so that a faster movement of the dashpot can be secured during the earlier or timing portion of its stroke, and a slower movement during the latter portion, for a purpose shortly tobe explained. It is the movement of the quadrant under the influence of the coiled spring, and controlled by the dashpot, which is utilized to measure o1' determine,l and thro-ugh the action o-f the projector, to indicate the potential distance of travel of the ball. This is accomplished as follows.

Fixed in the quadrant is the crank pin 6i for actuating the cross-head 52 upon the end of the rod '63. The opposite end of this rod slides or telescopes within the hollow end of shaft 5&1. fitting loosely therein. The rod and shaft may, however, be locked or clamped together by means of clutch devices. As shown in Fig. i3, these comprise the locking washer or disk (i5 having a central opening slightly larger than the rod 63 upon which it is mounted and with squared inner edges or corners so that while the rod may slide freely through the disk when the latter is held at right angles to the rod, a tipping or tilt ing of the disk will cause it to bite and grip the rod securely. The disk is held at its upper edge by the shoulder 66 on the shaft 64 and is tilted by coiled compression spring 6l' mounted in the counter-bore in the end of the shaft 'Si The clutch disk 65 is held in inoperative position by means of the collar 53 loosely mounted on rod 63 and provided with beveled faces. Collar Sii is controlled by bell-crank lever 69 pivoted on pin H mounted in a xed support which for clearness of illustration is omitted from the drawing. When the lever t9 is moved in a clockwise direc tion, the beveled end of its short horizontal arm engages the collar 68 and forces it to the left in Fig. 13, compressing spring 6l and releasing rod 63 from the clutch disk 65 and permitting sliding movement of rod @3 within shaft 64.

On movement of lever 69 in the opposite direction, coiled spring Si causes clutch disk to tilt and lock rod 63 and shaft 54 rigidly together. In operationl lever 5S will be actuated to free the rod 63 during the earlier or timing portion of the stroke of the dashpot and quadrant, and to llock or clamp the rod 63 to shaft 64 during the latter or projecting portion of the stroke of dashpot and quadrant.

The determination or measurement of the potential flight of the ball is based upon the time interval which elapses between the balls leaving the tee and striking the back curtain. Since the higher the velocity of the ball the shorter is the time interval and the longer is the night of the ball. Accordingly it was necessary to devise some means whereby the shorter intervals would indicate longer flights. rIhis I have done by taking a uniform or constant throw or movement of the dashpot and quadrant and making the firstv portion of such stroke, which corresponds in duration to the time interval of the balls flight from the tee to the curtain, whatever that may be, an idle or waste movement or stroke. The remainder of the full stroke is then used to measure and to indicate the length of flight of the ball. Obviously, the harder the ball is struck and the swifter its flight from the tee to the curtain, the shorter will be the time interval and the corresponding idle and waste portion of the stroke of the dashpot, and the longer will be the measuring and indicating portions of suchv stroke.' An easily struck ball, on the other hand, with slower flight will consume correspondingly greater time in traveling from the tee to the curtain, and a similarly increased idle or waste portion of the dashpot stroke will occur with a corresponding reduction in the length of the measuring and indicating portion of such stroke.

It is the pivoted lever 69 and the clutch disk 65 for clamping the rod 'E3 to shaft 64 which control the measuring and indicating action of the apparatus. When the ball is struck the rod S3 is unclamped and slides freely within the shaft $4 as the cross-head 62 begins its initial movement under the action of spring 35 controlled by the dashpot 36. During this portion of the stroke the shaft 64 remains stationary, but the instant the ball strikes the back curtain lever 69 is actuated to release spring 6l which promptly causes disk t5 to grip or clamp the rod 63, thereby locking the rod and shaft together so that the continued movement of the cross-head under the action of the quadrant imparts a longer or shorter axial movement to the shaft 64 in extent corresponding to the speed of the ball, and therefore adapted to indicate the distance or length of normal flight.

In the apparatus illustrated in the acco1npanying drawings, no provision has been made to indicate directly in yards the distance of travel, but instead a spotlight or phantom ball has been provided which, for each shot or stroke, will move over a plan or map or other representation of the fairway or hole being played from the point on the map corresponding to the position where the shot is played, whether at the tee or along the fairway, stopping at the point or position corresponding to the place where the ball 35 would have come to rest in the open, the player estimating the length of his drive or other shot just as in the actual game by reference to landmarks or denitely positioned markers.

The projector mechanism for this spotlight or phantom ball comprises the projector or cylinder 15 mounted upon trunnions or horizontal pivots 'iS in the yoke 'il at the top of hollow stem i8 free to turn upon the spindle 'i9 fixed in the base or slide 8B. The cylinder 'l5 thus has provision for universal movement. Within the cylinder at its right hand end as viewed in Fig. 1 is mounted a small incandescent lamp bulb 8l, supplied in any suitable manner with electric current, while at the opposite end is the lens 52 for projecting the spot of light from the bulb upon the representation or plan of a fairway or hole as indicated by the supplementary screen or curtain 83 covering a portion of the main screen 811, as shown in Fig. 29. v

The mechanism for actuating the projector to cause the spotlight or phantom ball to travel along the picture or plan of the fairway, comprises the yoke 85 secured to the end of theshaft 54 and having the angularly disposed guides 85 forming the slots 81. Rigidly secured to the right hand end of the projector cylinder is the hollow stem 88 within which is slidingly mounted the tail rod 89 carrying at its end the stud 90, and check-nut 9|. Pivoted upon the stud and free to turn is the block or cross-head 92 tting between the guides with a sliding t, and carrying upon the opposite sides the pins 93 which enter and are guided by the slots 81 in the yoke 35. The above described construction is such that Since the extent of movementr of the shaft 64 varies with the velocity or speed with which the ball travels the distance from the tee to the screen, it follows that the extent of movement of the phantom ball on the screen affords an accurate basis for comparison of the different strokes and by a proper positioning and adjustment of the apparatus parts, the extent of movement of the phantom ball may be made to indicate accurately the actual distance in yards the ball would have traveled normally in the open.

Furthermore, since the latter portion of the movement of the pin B! on the quadrant 34 is utilized to cause this tipping of the projector, as this pin approaches the limit of its rotational movement, which limit is on center, the rectilinear movement of the yoke 85 will be at a progressively diminishing rate, until the parts come to a gradual and easy stop. This motion transmitted through the inclined guides 85 on the yoke 85 will result in a similar slowing down and gradual stopping of the tipp-ing movement of the projector, producing a most realistic eiect on the screen of the slowing down and final stopping of the ball at the end of its flight and run.

In order to provide for variations in the distance or travel of the ball in accordance with the loft of the club which is used, the base 80 upon which the projector is supported is made adjustable, being movable in a guideway 9d on the base 3|, a locking screw 95 securing the base in the desired adjustment. The telescoping connection between the stem 88 and the tail rod B9 is for the purpose of allowing such longitudinal adjustment of the projector.

1t is obvious that as the base and projector are moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. l, the amount or extent of its angular tipping, due to the increase in the distance from the trunnion 'i6 to pins 93, will be diminished and the same eX- tent or range of longitudinal movement of the shaft 61% and yoke 85 will now produce a shorter flight or travel of the phantom ball on the screen. Conversely, adjustment of the projector to the right will result in greater distance indicated by the phantom ball.

Accordingly, when tee shots are made with the driver or oth-er wooden club, the projector will be positioned at the limit of its movement to the right so that the maximum distance will be rendered. For the various iron clubs, such as the mid-iron, jigger and mashie, the projector will be adjusted more and more to the left to diminish the indicated travel of the ball in accordance with the conditions and results in actual play.

A scale, as shown at 95, may be provided so that the projector may be set accurately and invariably at the proper distance for the club then being used.

The control of the timing and projecting mechanisms through electrical devices is eifected as follows: Pivoted upon the stud 91 carried by a supporting bracket (not shown) at the right hand end of base 3| as viewed in Fig. 1, is the latch lever 93 provided at its upper end. with a catch 99 adapted to engage a shoulder |00 on the periphery of quadrant 3d, when the latter is rotated in a clockwise direction by the setting handle |0| against the tension of coiled spring 35.

Mounted upon the base 3| is the timing solenoid |04 within which is mounted the movable core |05 on the rod |06 the end of which is connected Y with the lower end of the latch lever 98, being adjustable with relation thereto by means of the knurled nuts |01. Near the solenoid the rod |06 is connected to the lower end of the vertical arm of bell-crank lever 69 which controls the clutch between the rod 63 and shaft 6d, the abutment nuts |08 being adjustable to permit the proper timing of the clutch. A coiled tension spring |09, one end of which is connected to a xed pin and the other to the lever 69, tends to hold the solenoid rod |00 in such position that lever 69 will render the clutch operative and the rod 63 and shaft 64 will be connected and also so that the latchV lever 98 will be in locking position with the catch and shoulder |00 in engagement and the quadrant held from movement.

When the ball is struck from the tee an electric current is caused to flow through the timing solenoid I causing movement of the core |05 to the left and through the solenoid rod |06 actuating the latch lever 98 to release the quadrant, and at the same time actuating lever 69 to throw the clutch out of operation. During the flight of the ball from the tee to the screen the current continues to flow through the timing solenoid and since the rod 63 remains disconnected from the shaft 64, no movement of the projector takes place. The instant the ball strikes the screen, however, the circuit through the solenoid is broken and the spring |09 moves the core and rod in the opposite direction to throw theclutch into operation, whereupon the rod 53 and shaft 64 are immediately connected and the continued movement of the quadrant sets the projector in motion and reproduces upon the screen the flight or travel of the ball.

The quadrant is provided with a second shoulder 306 which will be engaged by the catch 99 on the lever 98, the latter having been thrown into operative position by the spring |09 when the timing solenoid circuit was broken, and acting to stop movement of the quadrant and connecting mechanism, including the projector.

The timing solenoid |01! also controls the bypass valve 55 in dashpot 36 so that the valve will be opened when the solenoid is energized, that is, during the flight of the ball from the tee to the curtain, and will be closed, partially or wholly, when-the solenoid is de-energized, that is when the ball strikes the back curtain. This timing results, on the one hand, in a faster action of the dashpot during the timing portion of the stroke or movement of the quadrant, thereby securing greater accuracy in timing, and, on the other hand, in a slower action of the dashpot during the projecting portion of the stroke of the quadrant, thus accurately reproducing, so far as time duration is concerned, the flight or travel of the ball in actual play and thereby adding to the realistic effects secured. l

The actuating mechanism for the by-pass valve comprises the vertical lever I2 pivoted on the xed pin ||3 mounted in a bracket (not shown) on the machine. The upper end of this lever is connected by means of the link IM and abutment nuts ||5 with the upper end of the valve lever 56. rIhe lower end of the lever l2 is connected by the arm H6 and abutment nuts l Il with solenoid rod |06. The adjustment of these;

parts is such that when the timing solenoid |04 is energized, the movement of the solenoid rod opens the by-pass valve 55 and holds it open until the ball strikes the curtain, whereupon the timing solenoid is de-energized and the valve rod under the action of the spring |09 causes the valve 55 to close.

The electrical connections which control the flow ofcurrent to the timing solenoid |014 (indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 28) comprise the tee switch shown in Fig. 14, and the curtain switch or switches, shown in Figs. 24 to 27. These switches are actuated by the ball itself, the tee switch by the balls leaving the tee, and the curtain switch by the balls striking the curtain. The tee switch is provided with the solenoid I8 which is in circuit with the timing solenoid |04. 'I'he switch is so constructed that it is held open While the ball is resting upon the tee, but the instant the ball is struck and leaves the tee the switch will be closed and held closed by the tee switch solenoid I8 until the circuit is broken at some other point. The curtain switches are also in circuit with the solenoid and tee switch. In the simplest form of apparatus, Where lateral deflection from a straight course is not to be indicated, the curtain switch or switches, if more than one is employed, will be of the closed type, that is, will remain normally closed but will be opened by the impact of the ball on the curtain, thereby breaking the circuit through the timing solenoid |04 and starting the projector in operation.

The tee switch, as shown in Fig. 14, comprises a solenoid IIB having a movable core ||9 and rod |2|, to the end of which is connected the spiral spring |22 and liexible cord or string |23 carrying the light pad or disk |24. This pad Will be placed upon the tee |25 and the ball |26 positioned upon the pad the proper distance from the tee switch to put tension on the spring |22 for a purpose shortly to be explained.

Mounted at |21 on the frame |28 of the switch but insulated therefrom is the spring contact member |29 to which one end of the solenoid winding is connected. The solenoid rod |2| extends rearwardly through the solenoid and through the upper end of the contact member |29, two stop members |3| and |32 being mounted on the rod. A contact screw |33 is mounted in the frame and adapted to be engaged by the end of the contact member |29. A second screw |34 is also mounted in the frame but insulated therefrom, and is also adapted to be engaged by the spring member |29 and to act as an adjustable stop. The position of the parts when the ball is teed up and preparatory to being struck is indicated in Fig, 14, in which the spring member |29 is held by the tension of the spring |22 to the left of the position it would normally tend to take, and out of engagement with both contact screw |33 and stop screw |34. When the ball leaves the tee the light pad or disk |24 is released, the tension of the spring |22 is removed, and the contact member |29 springs to the right a suicient distance to contact with both screws |33 and |34. Instantly the circuit is closed and the current flowing through the wires |35 energizes the solenoid which tends to draw the core still further to the right and to hold the spring member firmly in engagement with the contact screw |33, this condition continuing while the ball is in flight from the tee to the screen.

The closing of the circuit through the tee switch completes the circuit through the timing solenoid |94, releasing the quadrant and setting the timer mechanism in operation and during the time interval of the flight of the ball from the tee to the screen this timing solenoid remains energized, holding the rod 53 and shaft 64 disconnected so that the movement of the quadrant is without effect upon the projector mechanism.

The breaking of the circuit when the ball strikes the back curtain to de-energize the timing solenoid |04 and connect the rod 63 and shaft 64 to set the projector in motion is accomplished through the following mechanism.`

ASuspended behind the curtain and in close proximity thereto are a number of flexible cords, the middle cord indicated at |33 and the cords on each side at |39 (see Figs. 22 and 23). 'I'hese cords are fastened at their top to some fixed support and carry suspended at their bottom the curtain switches. The middle cord |38 carries 'the normally closed switch shown in Figs. 24 and 25, while the side cords |39 carry the normally open switches shown in Figs. 26 and 27.

The closed curtain switch indicated generally at |Ll| comprises a rectangular block or weighted member |42 of wood or other suitable material. Fastened to the top of the block is the metal plate |43 to which one of the leads |44 is connected. The block is provided with a central bore Within which is mounted the insulated bushing |45. An insulated plate I 43 is secured to the bottom of the block. Loosely fitting within the bushing is the screw |41 to which is connected the other lead |48 by means of the clamping nuts |49. A leaf spring is mounted under the head of the screw |41 and bears at its ends upon the bottom of the block, acting normally to hold the lower clamping nut |49 in contact with the plate|43 and the circuit through the leads |44 and |48 closed.

The cord |38 is connected to the upper end of the screw |41 by means of the link |52, the switch structure hanging suspended on the lower end lof the cord and maintaining the latter straight and tight in close proximity to the back of the curtain. 'I'he tension on the leaf spring I5! is adjusted by means of the clamping nuts |49 so that when the switch is so suspended the circuit will still be closed, and when a ball strikes the screen' near the cord, the bulging of the screen will cause a corresponding deiiection of the cord and the inertia of the switch, due to its weight, will result in the momentary sepa.- ration of the contacts on the switch and the opening of the circuit.

Since the curtain switch |4| on the middle cord |39 is in the circuit with the tee switch, the instant the circuit is opened by the ball striking the curtain, the tee solenoid ||8 is de-energized and the spring member |29 leaves the contact screw |33, permanently opening the circuit. When the curtain switch |4| again closes, as it quickly will when the curtain and cord straighten or iiatten out, the circuit will still remain broken because the normal position of the contact memberV |29 of the tee switch is out of contact with the contact screw |33, as shown in Fig. 14.

This breaking of the circuit when the ball strikes the back curtain de-energizes the timer solenoid |04, permitting the clutching together of the rod 33 and shaft 64, so that continued movement of the quadrant operates the projector to indicate the potential iiight of the ball.

Thus, the action of the ball in leaving the tee sets the timer mechanism in operation, and the striking of the ball against the back curtain sets the projector mechanism in operation. The movement or stroke of the quadrant is constant and continuous and comprises two portions, the former or timing portion and the latter or projecting portion, the point of division being xed by the balls striking the backcurtain. Obviously the harder the ball is hit and the swifter its flight from the tee to the curtain, the shorter will be the timing interval and the longer will be the projecting interval, with the resulting indication of a correspondingly longer night or distance of the shot.

If it is desired to indicate only the distance of each shot without regard to the direction, the mechanism thus far described is all that is required, and comprises the timer, the projector, the tee switch, and the closed curtain switch. Preferably, however, the direction of flight of the ball will also be indicated so that the player will know whether he is driving the ball straight and true or more or less to one side or the other. The mechanism for indicating such deflection comprises, briefly, the side curtain switches, which control means for imparting a slight rotational movement in one direction or the other to the shaft 64 and its yoke and inclined guides, so that movement of these parts will impart a slightly oblique tip to the projector mechanism causing the spotlight or'phantom ball to be deected slightly from the intended straight and true path.

These side switches, shown generally at |53, are normally open and are very similar to the normally closed middle switch 4| comprising the same block |42 with central opening, and insulated bushing |45', screw |41' loosely mounted therein carrying the leaf spring at its bottom, and connected by the link |52 at its top to the cord |39. The lead |48 is similarly connected to the screw by means of the clamping nuts |49. Instead, however, of the metal plate on the topi of the block these side switches .I are provided with an insulating top |54 and bridge contact |54 to which is secured the lead In Fig. 1 this direction mechanism is shown with parts omitted for the sake of clearness. In Figs. 15 to 19 a modification is illustrated.

Referring to Fig. 1, a ratchet wheel or disk |55 having the hub |56 is mounted upon the shaft 64, the hub being grooved to receive the key or feather |51, so that rotation of the disk will cause rotation of the shaft 64, yet the shaft is free to move through the disk. Pivoted upon the hub |56 is the pawl carrying lever |58 having at its lower end the pivoted double pawl |59 controlled by the springs |6|. The forked extension |62 on the pawl 'is adapted to be engaged by one or the other of the collars |63 on the rod |64 of the deflector solenoids |65 and |66. When the solenoid |65 is actuated, double pawl |59 will l first be turned on its pivotal support on lever |58 until the nearer pawl, as viewed in Fig. 1, en-

gages the toothed periphery of ratchet disk |55, whereupon continued movement of the solenoid rod will move said pawl bodily, swinging pawl lever |58 at the same time and imparting a rotational movement to the shaft 64 and its yoke and guides. If the solenoid |66 be actuated, the disk and shaft with its attached parts will be rotated in the opposite direction.

The solenoids |65 and |66 will be each in circuit with its appropriate curtain switch, one on one side of the curtain and one on the other, so that if the ball is driven 01T direction and strikes to either side of the middle of the curtain, the projector actuating mechanism will be automatically adjusted to indicate deflection in the proper direction.

Preferably this deection indicating mechanismY will be constructed to indicate varying extents or amounts in deflection, and in Figs. 15 to 19 is shown a modification designed to indicate three diiferent degrees of deection on each side of the middle. With this construction the curtain is divided laterally into a series of zones, each zone having its own drop cord, curtain switch, and solenoid for indicating the direction and extent of deection corresponding to the position of the Zone struck by the ball.

In this construction in place of the two solenoids |95 and |66 for imparting angular movement through the toothed disk to the shaft, two tension springs are used, the extent of movement being controlled by means of the siX solenoids, three for one side of the curtain and three for the other.

In Fig. 15 is shown the deflection indicating mechanism in top view; the same parts viewed in end elevation from the projector end are shown in Fig. 16, and a side elevation in Fig. 17. The main parts of this mechanism comprise the disk 1| for rotating the shaft, the actuating lever |12 for the same, and the friction bar |13 and connections for frictionally connecting the actuating lever |12 and disk |1|.

The disk and levers are mounted as follows: Splined upon the shaft 64 is the flanged'sleeve |14, and the disk 1| is screwed upon the threaded end of this sleeve into engagement with a shoulder, and is locked from rotational movement on the sleeve by means of the nut |15. Pivoted midway its ends upon the sleeve |14 is the horizontal actuating lever |12 provided with a vertical handle |16. A washer |11 spaces this lever from the disk |1|. Ihe sleeve is itself plvotally mounted in a bearing indicated at |18.

The lever |12 is Vactuated or tilted by means of tensionsprings |19 and |86 secured at their lower ends to the adjustable collar |8|, screwed upon the threaded lower portion |82 of the rod |83. The upper end of the spring is secured to the flanged sleeve |84, fitting loosely on the upper portion of the rod |83, and connected at its upper end to the actuating lever |12 near its end. A vertical latch lever |86 pivotally mounted at its lower end is provided with a catch or shoulder |81 at its upper end, adapted to engage beneath the flange |88 of the sleeve |84 to hold said sleeve against the downward pull of the spring |19. The latch lever is actuated by means of the link |69 connected at one end to the latch lever |86 and at its opposite end to the U-shapedV lever 19| pivoted on the base of the machine and having its ends connected with the flat horizontal sclenoid bar |92. This bar |92 rests upon the rods |94 extending from the cores |95 of the solenoids |96, the ends of the rods being threaded to receive the adjustable abutment nuts |91 which engage the edge of the solenoid bar |92.

The above described construction is such that if` either one of the three solenoids |96 be actuated, the solenoid bar |92 will in turn be actuated and through the lever and link connection trip the latch to release the flanged sleeve |84.

A similar and corresponding construction is provided for the other end of the actuating lever, whereby when any of the solenoids |98 are actuated the flanged sleeve |96 for spring |86 will be unlatched.

An arm or lever |99 fixed upon the horizontal portion of the U-shaped levers |91 and carrying at its free end the adjustable abutment screw 99' controls switch 269, holding the switch closed against the opening action of its spring arms when the parts are set ready for operation as shown in Fig. 17, all for a purpose hereinafter to be described,

When the apparatus is set ready for use, both latches will be in action, anchoring both flanged sleeves against the downward pull of their respective springs. The upward pull of each spring exerted through collars ll and rods |83 then balance and the lever is held in neutral horizontal position. When the ball strikes the rear curtain to one side of the middle, one of the solenoids it or 598 will be energized, thereby tripping one of the latches and releasing its ilanged sleeve which is instantly drawn downwardly by its spring. The other spring, now being relieved of the balancing pull of the first spring, immediately becomes operative and contracts. Since its upper end is anchored to the flanged sleeve which is held by its latch, the contracting of the spring pulls collar iti upwardly, lifting the rod 183 and tilting lever H2.

The devices for transmitting the tilting or angular movement of the actuating lever |12 to disk l'H to cause the desired angular movement of shaft 64 include a friction bar or member H3 connected to the actuating lever and provided with frictional surfaces which engage the face of the disk. This bar extends across the face of the disk on the projector side but out of contact, and is connected at each extremity with the actuating lever which is on the opposite side of the disk by means of pins Zl on the actuating lever adjacent each end and passing through the ends of the friction bar. Clamp screws 202 on the threaded ends of these pins are adjustable to draw the friction bar towards the actuating lever with greater or less pressure. Fixed upon the disk side of the bar H3 are friction pads 93 adapted to engage the face of the disk near its periphery with suiflcient friction so that when the actuating lever is tilted by the springs |19 or 139, the disk will also be tilted, yet providing a yielding connection between these parts to permit their relative adjustment in setting the apparatus.

The mechanism for controlling the extent of tilt of the actuating lever and disk to produce deiection of the phantom ball corresponding in extent to the deflection of the real ball, comprises two sets of solenoids of three each, indicated in Fig. l5 at 96 and |98, solenoids i853 indicating deflections to the right while solenoids 98 indicate deflections to the left. The cores of each of these solenoids carries at its end towards the disk a stem or pin 205 having at its extremity a bevelled head or small disk 2&6. These heads normally stand, as shown in Fig. 15, out of the plane of movement of the actuating lever |12, but when one of the solenoids is energized as a result of the ball striking the back curtain, the head 266 will be moved through such plane to bring the stem 205 into the path of movement of the actuating lever so when the latter is tilted by the action of one or the other of the springs H9 or 80, the stem will serve as an abutment or stop to limit the extent of tilting movement of the lever and disk lll.

The three solenoids on each side of the shaft are so arranged and located that diiierent degrees of tilting will be permitted by the different solenoids, as illustrated in Fig. 18, which shows the middle solenoid as energized and the stem of its core in position to be engaged by the arm of the actuating lever to stop the lever in the position indicated in dot and dash line. It is obvious that if the outside solenoid has been energized a less tilting of the actuating lever would have been permitted, while if the inner solenoid had been energized a greater tilting would have resulted. By connecting the inner solenoid to the curtain switch'controlling the extreme outside zone, the middle solenoid to the switch for the middle zone, and the outside solenoid to the switch of the inner zone, all on one side of the middle of the curtain, different degrees of tilting of the actuating lever and disk will be produced in accordance with different degrees of actual deflection of the ball from the middle zone, and corresponding degrees of deflection will be indicated by the phantom ball through the rotation or tipping of the shaft 64 and the inclined guides for the projector.

A similar set of three solenoids is positioned on the other side of the shaft and similarly connected up with their corresponding curtain switches to indicate deflections of varying degrees, but in the other direction. v

While in the illustrated embodiment six of these deflection solenoids are employed, whereby three dierent degrees or extents of deflection to one side or to the other may be indicated, a greater or less number may be employed if desired, giving correspondingly finer or coarser gradations in deflections indicated by the phan tom ball.

It will be observed that a single solenoid controls not only the extent ofA tilting of the actuating lever, but also its release. While the time interval between the actuation of the solenoid and the springs coming into action to tilt the actuating lever is almost infinitesimal, nevertheless it is suflicient to insure the stem 205 on the solenoid core being in position to be engaged by the tilting lever when the latter is actuated by the spring.

The deflection mechanism is set for operation by means of the handle 116 which is swung iirst to one side and then to the other. The lifting movement of the end of the actuating lever raises the actuating rod H83 until the intermediate collar 209 engages the anged sleeve 18d., whereupon continued upward movement will lift the sleeve and carry its flange above the latch so that when the actuating lever is returned to normal horizontal position the spring will be held under tension. First one spring and then the other will be tensioned in this manner, the movement of the actuating lever at this time being unk impeded by the stems on the cores of the deection solenoids because these stems all stand retracted, as shown in Fig. 15, under the action of the tension springs 2li).

The purpose of heads 2% on the stem 295 is to prevent withdrawal from the stem from beneath the actuating lever |12 when the solenoid is deenergized, which occurs almost instantly after energization. If such withdrawal should occur at that time, the lever would be free to make further tilting movement in excess of the proper amount. The head on the stem engaging the face of the actuating lever prevents such withdrawal of the stem and insures the lever being stopped and held in the desired position while the shot is being recorded by the phantom ball and until the apparatus is reset for a succeeding shot.

Another function of the disks or heads 2M is to prevent the full movement of any solenoid core other than the one first aiected. For example, when a ball strikes between two of the cords for the side switches, both switches will be actuated, but the one on the core nearer the point of impact of the ball will operate just enough quicker than the other to cause the lever lOl |92 to begin to trip before the solenoid of the `other cord and switch can actuate its stern.V When this does occur, the lever will be in position to be engaged by the head on that stem, thus preventing the stem passing beneath the lever.

In order to simulate as closely as possible the `conditions of actual play, and to test and develop the skill of the player, mechanism has been provided for imparting to the phantom ball a retarding or accelerating or deflecting effect corresponding to the retarding or accelerating or deecting action of the wind, and provision has been made for adjustment of the apparatus for any desired wind direction and velocity.

This mechanism, which for convenience is referred to generally as the wind deilection mechanism or device, is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7, 11 and 12. It is located beneath the board or base 3| carrying the timing and projecting mechanisrn, and operates to impart tilting and swinging movements to the base and the mechanisms carried thereby. Such swinging and tilting movements take place at the same time that the projector is being tilted by the movement of the inclined cross-head and inclined guideways. Any tilting of the base produces an increased or diminished forward travel of the spotlight or phantom ball, according to whether the wind is favoring or opposed. A swinging movement of the base, on the other hand, will cause a deection of the phantom ball to one side or the other in a curved path of movement corresponding to the eiect of the cross component of the wind in a most realistic manner, and calling upon the player to make due allowance therefor in exactly the same manner as upon the outdoor course.

The base or board 3| is mounted to provide for this tilting and swinging action in the following manner: A hollow, vertical spindle 2|| is rotatably mounted upon the stem or standard 32 carried by the base 33, a ball 2|2 or other anti-friction thrust bearing being provided to insure free movement with minimum of friction. Fixed upon the top of the hollow spindle is the fork 2|3 in which the base 3| is mounted on the horizontal pivots 2|4, The pivotal point is such that the base and the parts mounted thereon shall be as nearly as possible in balance to give the freest and easiest tilting movements.

The tilting action is produced through the vertical movement o a sleeve 2| 5 loosely mounted upon the hollow spindle 2l l, and provided at its upper end with a sleeveV or collar 2H having a groove 2| in which is received a roll 2|9 on pin 220, at the lower end of the link 22| passing through guides 222 on the hollow spindle 2i I. A rocking lever 223, pivoted upon the upstanding arm of the bracket 224 extending laterally from the yoke 2 I3, is connected at one end to the link 22| and at the other through the link 225 to a bracket 226 xed upon the under side of the board or base 3|.

Thus when the sleeve 2H is raised, the left hand or projector end of the board or base will be tilted downwardly to give a retarding effect to the phantom ball corresponding to a head Wind. Conversely, when the sleeve 2|? is lowered, the left hand or projector end of the base is tilted upwardly, increasing the movement of the spotlight or phantom ball and giving the effect of a following or helping wind.

The devices for actuating the sleeve 2|6 to tilt the base 3| comprise a spring, tensioned by the operator when the apparatus is preliminarily set and combined with a dashpot for controlling the rate'of movement of the parts, and thrown into operation by a solenoid which is itself controlled by the timer. The actuating spring is shown in Fig. 5 at 23|, the dashpot at 232 and the solenoid at 233.

The connected mechanism between the spring and the vertically movable sleeve 2|6 is as follows: Pivoted to the lower end of the sleeve is the link 234, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the sector 235, guided by the ears or guides'235 upon the sleeve. The sector is pivoted at 231 in a xed support, (not shown), and its arcuate periphery 238 is engaged by the friction shoe 239 at the end of the rod 24|. This shoe is U-shape in cross-section, the side walls forming guides for the sector, and in the bottom of the channel is a strip of bre or other suitable friction material so that longitudinal movement of the shoe will actuate the sector. A spring 242 attached at its lower end to a pin on the shoe and at its upper end to the pivot 23T, holds the shoe in contact with the quadrant under suiiicient pressure to prevent slippage between the parts in normal operation.

The rear end of the actuating rod 24| is pivotally connected to an adjustable crank pin mounted in the slot 244 in the horizontal disk 245 axially pivoted in any suitable manner. The crank pin shown in Figs. 5, 1l and 12, comprises the pin 245 passing through the slot 244 and having the head 247 at its lower end held by the undercut sides of the slot. The upper end of the pin is threaded as at 248 and carries a clamping nut 24S. Pivoted upon the pin is a sleeve 252 the lower end of which has straight sides to fit the slot 244 and be held from turning, the middle portion of which is cylindrical to form a bearing surface for the end of the rod 24 l, and the upper portion of which is formed with straight sides at an angle of 45 to those of the other end to receive the slotted arm 253 and hold it from turning and in xed angular position relatively to the slot 244 in disk 245.

Tightening of the clamp nut 249 locks the adjustable crank pin and slotted arm in xed position on the disk, but permits free pivotal movement of the actuating rod 24|.

The mechanism for imparting rotational movement to the disk 225 to cause its crank arm to actuate the rod 24| comprises the arm and rod 255 having at one end the strap 255 surrounding the periphery of the disk, with the tightening bolt 25? and wing nut 258 for adjusting the frictional engagement between the strap and the disk. A spring 259 is provided between the head of the bolt and the strap to permit adjustment ci the friction. The purpose of this frictional engagement is so that the disk will normally be actuated by the swinging movement of the rod 255 and yet permit adjustment of the disk within the strap in setting or adjusting the mechanism.

The arm 255 is actuated by the tension spring 23|, the speed of its movement being controlled by the dashpot 232, see Fig. 4. This is accomplished by means of the bell-crank lever 262 pivoted at 263 upon a fixed portion of the machine, (not shown). The lower end of the pivotal arm of this bell-crank lever is bifurcated at 264 and engages the extension .265 on the arm 255. The end of the horizontal arm of the bell-crank lever is connected to the piston rod 266 of the dashpot by means of the strap or stirrup4 267, (see Fig. 6).

The piston rod 256 of the dashpot is hollow and receives the valve stem 268, having the tapered lower end 263 and threaded upper end 27| f right angles to slot 2116.

with knurled head 212. Ports 213 are formed in the wall of the hollow piston rod 266 in position to be opened and closed to a greater or less extent by. the tapered end 269 of the valve stem, thereby controlling the rate of movement of the piston in the dashpot. The loosely fitting piston 2li is mounted upon the lower end of the hollow piston rod, which projects through the piston, thus providing a passage from above the piston to beneath it, through the ports 213 and hollow rod.

The piston is provided with the openings .l which are normally covered by the imperforate disk 'l fitting loosely on the piston rod. During the operative or upward stroke of the piston, the disk closes these openings and the speed of movement of the piston is determined by the ow of the liquid from above to beneath the piston through ports 273 and hollow piston rod and around the piston. f

By adjusting the valve rod by means of the knurled head 212, the ports may be opened or closed to secure the desired speed of movement oi the dashpot. During the downward or idle strokes of the piston, the disk is free to rise, unccvering the openings and permitting the resetting of the parts quickly and with little effort.

The arm 255 is restrained from lateral movement by means of the pin 218 having its face shaped to engage one or another of the ratchet teeth 2li) in the locking bar 28|. This bar is pivoted at 282 and is normally held in locking position by means of the tension spring 283, being actuated to release the bar 255 by the solenoid 233.

By adjusting the crank pin 246 in its slot 244 and the slotted arm 253 on the crank pin to radial distances from the disk center correspondn ing to the wind velocity assumed, any desired acceleration or retardation, and any desired deflection, and any combination ,of such movements may be obtained andgreproduced in the phantom ball.

In order to assist and guide the operator in adjusting thisI portion of the apparatus for the desired wind velocity, scales have been provided, one adjacent the slot 2130 in the disk 245 and the other on the slotted bar 253. These scales are preferably so laid out that the parts will be adjusted to the same reading n both scales, which will be the predetermined wind velocity.

The operator is further guided in setting these parts for a predetermined direction of wind by an arrow marked on the face of the disk N5 at This arrow points in the direction toward which the wind is blowing. For example', in Fig. 5 the wind is a head Wind with a slight leftv to right component.

The frictional engagement between disk M5 and band 25 permits the disk to be turned to cause the arrow to point in the desired direction, relatively to the general direction of the fairway or hole being played, without interfering with the 'velocity adjustments. Thus the conditions of actual play may be easily reproduced with a different wind direction, relatively, at each hole but with the same velocity, the varying effects on distance and directions being automatically reproduced in the movements of the phantom ball.

Since these wind deiiection effects will be produced simultaneously with the tilting of the projector under the control of the timer mechanism, the phantom ball is given a regular and even jdeection, accelerating or retarding movement from start to finish, which resembles in the most realistic manner the travel of a ball in the open.

'Ihe mechanism for imparting deflection to the phantom ball, as in the case of a cross wind, is generally similar to that for varying the extent of its travel to indicate acceleration or retardation by the Wind. It comprises the arm 293 clamped upon the hollow spindle 2H and having the arcuate outer end 291i. This is engaged by the friction shoe 295, similar in construction to the friction shoe 239, and held in close frictional engagement with the arcuate end 294 of the arm 293 by tension spring 296. The shoe 295 is mounted upon the actuating rod 298 pivoted at its opposite end to the slotted arm 253.

When the disk 2555 is actuated by the spring 23| under control of the dashpot 232, the actuating rod 299 is given a longitudinal movement to turn the hollow spindle 2li which through the arms 2id swings the b-ase 3| to the right or to the left, according to the adjustment of the actuating parts, to impart a deflection to the phantom ball.

The control for rendering the wind deflection mechanism operative is through the solenoid 233 which is in a circuit in turn controlled by a contact or switch at the lower end of the latch lever 98. The connections and arrangement are such that the circuit is normally open at this point but will be closed by the action of spring |09 when the timer solenoid |043 is de-energized, and remain closed until the quadrant has finished its operative stroke. This switch comprises a Contact point 39| on the end of the adjusting screw hav- Y ing the knurled head 302`and mounted in the bracket 303 on the base 3l. The lower end of the latch lever 98 forms the other contact, a suitable electrical connection, not shown, being provided through such lever.

In order to maintain the circuit open when the apparatus is set and ready for use, and prior tothe ball leaving the tee, the quadrant is formed of slightly longer radius, as shown at 305, (Fig. l0), adjacent the shoulder |00, so that when the parts are in latched position, as shown in Fig. 1, the upper end of the latch lever 99 will be forced slightly to the right causing the lower end to move in the opposite direction and out of contact With the point 30 I.

Similarly the periphery of the quadrant adjacent the face of the stop shoulder 306 is also of slightly longer radius as shown at 301 in Fig. 10, so that when the quadrant is completing its stroke and the projector is reaching the end of its recording movement, such longer radius portion of the quadrant will actuate the latch lever slightly to break the contact with the point 30|, de-energizing the solenoid 233 and throwing the latch mechanism into action to stop further movement of the wind deflection devices simultaneously with the stopping ofthe tilting movement of the projector under the action of the quadrant.

The electrical circuits for the timer, direction and wind deflection devices are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 28. The source of electricity may conveniently be the ordinary domestic alternating current through the leads 3H to the primary 3|2 of a transformer where the secondary 3|3 reduces the voltage to any desired safe and convenient amount.

The current is led from the secondary through the conductor 3M having parallel connections with each of the curtain switches, both the middle closed switch 54| and the side open switches as |05. Tracing the circuit through the closed midfi o `dle switch |41, this leads through the conductor '3| 5 to the timer solenoid |04, thence through the -normally closed switches 200, which are arranged in series,V to the contact screw |33 of the tee switch `where the circuit stands normally open. The remainder of the circuit is through the switch lever |23, tee solenoid H8, and thence back to the outer end of the secondary by the conductors 3|6 and 3|1.

The circuits through the open or side switches |85 include the direction solenoids. |96 and |98, each one in series with an open switch, and thence by a common lead 3|9 and conductor 3|1 back to 'the secondary 3 I3.

The circuit for the wind deflection 'device includes the extension 32| from the lead 3|4, which extension is connected to the latch lever 98, thence through the contact 30|, which is open at all times Aexcept while the projector is being tilted by the ltimer quadrant, through conductor 322 to the solenoid 233, and by the return 323 and conductor 3I1 back to the transformer secondary.

The operation of the circuits is as follows: The ball being held on the tee and the timer, projector, direction, and wind deflection devices being properly set or adjusted with the phantom ball on the tee or lie on the pictorial fairway, the parts andswitches will be in the position shown in Fig. 28. 'The vinstant the ball leaves the tee, the lever 129 `contacts with the screw |33, closing the circuit through the tee solenoid i8, the middle curtain switch |4|, and the timer solenoid |04, thereby setting the -timer mechanism in operation by the release of the quadrant. During the flight of the ball from tee to curtain the tee solenoid holds the Vtee switch closed, and the timer solenoid holds the wind deflection switch 30| open.

If the ball strikes the curtain near the middle, the middle closed switch |4I is momentarily opened to break the circuit and .de-energize the timer solenoid |04 and the tee solenoid ||8. The tee switch instantly opens and remains open for the balance of the stroke of the timer, so that although the middle curtain switch |4| may immediately close, the circuit has been broken at the tee switch and cannot be reestablished until that switch is reset. The de-energizing of the timer solenoid |04 throws the clutch mechanism into action, and the tilting movement of the projector begins and continues during the remainder of the stroke of the timer quadrant. At the same time the wind deflection circuit is closed at 30|, the solenoid 233 is energized, and the wind deflection devices set in operation. This circuit remains closed until broken at the end of the stroke of the timer quadrant and movement of the projector.

If, on the other hand, the ball strikes to one side of the middle of the curtain, so that instead of opening the normally closed switch |4| it closes one of the normally open side switches |85, the effect of such closing is to actuate one or another of the direction solenoids |96, |98. The resulting movement of its core projects its stem 205 into the path of lever |12, trips the latch arm |86, and breaks the timer solenoid circuit at 200, all in rapid succession. The projector and wind deflection devices then function as above described.

If the ball strikes the curtain at a point between'two of the cords, so that two switches are actuated, this causes no rdifficulty as the switch which -is first actuated will control and the later actuation of the other will be without effect.

It will be noted that when the parts are set and ready for the player to make his stroke, there is no current in any of the circuits, and similarly, when the phantom ball has completed its recording movement, all the circuits are open.

In order to add another feature of realism to the use of the above described apparatus, an auxiliary curtain or screen may be provided extending from the floor upwardly a short distance across the front of the main screen, similar to Va cross bunker or other obstruction. At the appropriatetime this will be raised the proper height and the player required to carry it on his next stroke. If the ball is too low and is stopped by this auxiliary or bunker screen, none of the curtain switches will be actuated and the timer stroke will be completed without movement of the projector or travel of the phantom ball. This bunker screen, as shown at 33| (Figs. T22 and 23) is conveniently mounted upon a roller 332 pivoted in the brackets 333. The screen may be raised and held in position by cords 334 at each end.

While the present apparatus may be employed with the spotlight or phantom ball thrown upon the back curtain or a plain screen ruled or marked to indicate distances, a greater realistic effect may be obtained by providing a screen such as is shown at 83 in Fig. 29, upon which will be depicted in plan view a portion of a playing eld, showing the position of the tee, the putting green and hole, and the various topographical features in connection therewith. If desired, each of these auxiliary screens or fairway pictures may be provided, each one representing a separate fairway or hole, one after another being rolled off or hung up and the hole then displayed being played by the contestants. The home course of the owner of the apparatus may be shown on these picture screens, or one or another of the well known courses may be reproduced. With severeal sets of such screens a host may entertain his guests with matches over any of the worlds famous courses. Preferably, however, the picture will be reproduced on the back curtain itself by means of lantern slides and a' projector such as 336 in Fig. 20.

In the particular screen shown in Fig. 29, the tee is indicated at 331 and the green at 338, with the objective hole 339. Guarding the green are the sand traps 34|, while in front of the tee is the brook or stream 342. On each side of the fairway 243 is the rough 344, with the trees 345. Contour lines to indicate elevations and depressions could be added or arrows accompanied by figures could be placed at the proper locations to indicate the direction and distance vthe phantom ball should move, in addition to its automatically produced travel, to represent the effect of the slope of the ground. For the sake of clearness, however, these contour lines and arrows and flgures have been omitted from the drawings.

In operation, the tee switch and the timer and projecting apparatus will be positioned in front of the open end of the cage and to one side of the mat or other teeing surface. In Fig. is shown in plan View the general arrangement, the tee switch being indicated at 35| and the timer apparatus at 352. Y

Assuming the proper electrical connections have been made, a convenient and satisfactory order for the different steps in setting the apparatus for use is the following:

(l) Adjust the wind deflection devices for the predetermined velocity and direction of wind. The resetting is accomplished by pushing the end of the actuating lever 255 back against the tension of spring 23| to initial position where it will be held by latch bar 28|. The devices are then adjusted by loosening the clamping nut for the crank pin and positioning the latter in the slot in the disk at a distance from the center corresponding to the selected velocity. The slotted bar is similarly adjusted on the crank pin and the clamping nut is tightened. The disk is then turned by hand within its encircling band or strap until the arrow points in the direction toward which the wind is assumed to be blowing.

(2) The ball is teed upon the pad |24, the tee switch being so positioned that the proper tension will be put upon the switch parts to hold the switch open.

(3) The timer mechanism is set by pulling down on quadrant lever against coiled spring 45, bringing the parts into the position shown in Fig. 1.

(4) Still maintaining his hold upon handle IUI, the player now tips the base vertically and swings it horizontally as shown in Fig. 1 untilthe spotlight or phantom ball rests upon the representation of the tee, 331 on the picture screen or the desired spot on the fairway if the tee shot has already been played.

(5) The projector is adjusted on the base 3| in accordance with the type of club which is to be used in making the next shot. This is done by sliding the projector pedestal or base in its guides to the position, as indicated by the scale, which corresponds to that particular club.

(6) The direction actuating devices are quickly set by swinging handle |16 rst to one side and then to the other to tension the actuating springs |19 and |80 and latch the parts in operative position.

('1) The projector actuating mechanism, i. e., the yoke with inclined slots, is adjusted for the direction in which the ball should be driven, either straight down the fairway or toward one side or the other according to the wind. If the tee shot has been made and the ball is off the line from tee to hole, allowance must be made.

The apparatus is now all ready, and the player takes his stance and with the proper club for the shot to be made drives the ball against the middle of the curtain or screen 84 or to one side or the other, as the wind direction and velocity may require or his skill will permit. The instant the ball leaves the tee the timer is set in operation as above described, but no visible effect is yet produced. As soon, however, as the ball strikes the back curtain the projector begins its movement and Athe phantom ball starts away from the tee or lie on the fairway either directly towards the hole, if the player has been skilful, or to one side or the other if he is off direction or is making some allowance for the wind.

As the phantom ball continues its movement under the control of the timer, the wind deection devices are also operating and the ball is accelerated or retarded or deiiected, as the case may be, nally slowing down and coming to rest at a point on the screen corresponding to the position the players ball would have reached normally in the open on a level fairway.

Let us assume that the hole illustrated on the screen is being played; the distance is 385 yards, there is a slight cross wind from right to left, and the ball has been driven 210 yards. This first stroke is indicated by the broken line 353 and the stopping place of the ball is at 354. The

player now re-sets the apparatus and readjusts the base until the spotlight is upon the point 354. If desired, a hand operated projector spotlight, sticker, or other device may be placed upon vthe Stopping point of the phantom ball to aid in resetting the apparatus.

On the next shot the player has 1'75 yards to make to the green and he plays it with the proper iron, being careful not to overshoot the green. Unfortunately he is short, stopping at 355 in front of the bunker, leaving him a forty yard pitch to the pin. He again resets the apparatus and with the proper club, such as a mashie niblic, pitches the ball against the back curtain, taking care to use only the same force that he would need in the open for this distance. When the ball strikes the screen the projector will begin its movement, and if the shot is accurately played, the phantom ball will stop close to the hole at 356.

If the player overshoots the green and has to play back,` he simply turns the slotted yoke upside down, so that the front end of the projector will be tilted downwardly to cause the phantom ball to move generally downwardly on the screen instead of upwardly. Turning the yoke through 90 adjusts the projector for a pitch to the green following a hole-high shot to one side thereof.

Thus the player by the use of this apparatus may exercise his skill and ability and secure not only valuable practicel in driving the ball a long distance, but also in playing short shots or half shots, quarter shots, etc., as they are sometimes called.

If more than one player is to use the apparatus, they mode of procedure is exactly the same, each player, before making his shot, setting the phantom ball where his ball rested at the end of his last previous stroke, as indicated by his sticker or spotlight of which four may be provided as illustrated at 36| in Fig. 20. Thus one apparatus may serve for two, three, or any number of players.

If the fairway shown on the screen is provided with slope arrows and numbers, each player, when his phantom ball comes to rest, will give an additional movement by hand to the phantom ball in the direction indicated by the nearest arrow and for a distance corresponding to the number accompanying such arrow, this additional movement of the phantom ball representing the effect upon the run of the ball by the slope or inclination of the fairway. f

While the accompanying drawings show, and the foregoing specification describes, what is deemed at the present time to be the preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be embodied in other forms and constructions with out departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example, for short or pitch shots the difference in relation between the time of flight and distance traveled may conveniently be compensated for by positioning the tee and timer apparatus nearer the curtain. In such case the teeing mat, switch and projector may be moved vup to the positions indicated in dotted line at 362 in Fig. 20.

Again, a pond or other water hazard may be represented by a cut away or transparentportion in the screen, or by a mirror, and by means of a photo-electric cell the projector mechanism may be stopped in its operative stroke where the phantom ball or spotlight passes over the water hazard at low velocity, thereby reproduc- "xii ing the trapping of a ball which lacks suiiicient velocity or distance to carry the water hazard.

Also, instead of employing the pin and crosshead connection between the quadrant and actuating rod, a cam mechanism may be substituted in order to give a different time characteristic to the actuation of the rod. Similarly guides 85 on the yoke, instead of being straight may be curved or cam-shaped, to produce the desired movement of the projector.

I-Iaving thus described the present invention, what is claimed is:

l. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with means having a predetermined extent of movement and set in operation when the object is set in motion, of an indicator, and mechanism operative when the object has traveled a` predetermined portion of its potential travel to connect said indicator to said means whereby the remaining portion of the movement of said means will actuate the indicator to indicate the distance of potential travel of the object.v

2. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with a timer comprising a movable member and devices for imparting thereto a movement of predetermined extent, of an indicator, and a clutch for connecting the movable member and the indicator during the movement of the former.

3. In an apparatus for indicating the travel of an object, the combination with a projector for projecting a spot of light, of means Vfor imparting continuous movement to the projector to cause movement of the'spot of light in representation of the travel of the object.

4. In an apparatus for indicating the travel of an object, the combination with a projector for projecting a spot of light, of a screen bearing a representation of a playing field, and means for actuating the projector to cause lthe spot of light to travel over the screen.

5. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of anobject, the combination with means for indicating the potential distance of travel of the object, of a curtain, devices adjacent the curtain and set in operation by the impact of the object on the curtain for actuating the indicating means to indicate both distance and varying extents of deviation from the predetermined direction of flight of the object, and mechanism set in operation before the object strikes the curtain for controlling said actuating devices.

6. In an apparatus for indicating the ight of an object, the combination with an indicator, of asingle continuous curtain, a series of spaced flexible cords immediately behind the curtain, a curtain switch connected with each cord and adapted to be actuated thereby when the cord is deflected by the impact of the object on the curtain, a solenoid connected to each switch, and devices controlled by the solenoids foractuating the indicator to indicate a deection of the object from the intended direction of ilight.

7. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with a dash-pot having a movable member and means for imparting thereto a stroke of uniform extent, of an indicator, connections including a clutch between the member and the indicator, and devices for actuating the clutch during the movement of the member whereby the indicator is connected to the'member during a portion only of the movement of the latter and `is controlled thereby to indicate the potential distancev 'of travel of the object.

8. vIn an apparatus for indicating the potential distance Vof travel oi an object, the combination with an indicator, of a dash-pot having a movable member, means for actuating the movable member an invariable predetermined distance, Yand connections between the movable member and the indicator whereby the move- `ment of the indicator is controlled by the movement of said member.

9. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with an indicator, of a dash-pot having a movable member, means-for imparting to the movable f member strokes of invariable predetermined eX- tent, and devices for varying the rate of movement of said member in different portions of its stroke, and connections between the member and the indicator.

10. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with an indicator, of a dash-pot having a movable member and a port, said port having diierent eiective open areas for different portions of the stroke of the member to vary thel rate of movement of the'member, and connections between the member and the indicator.

11. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with an indicator, of a dash-pot having a movable member, connections between the member and the indicator including telescoping parts, and a clutch between said parts.

12. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with an indicator, of mechanism for actuating the indicator comprising a movable member, means for actuating said'member in accordance with the potential distance of travel of the object, and connections including a cam between the member and the indicator.

13. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with an indicator, of a longitudinally movable member, means for actuating the'member, a cam surface carried by the member, and connections for actuating the indicator from the cam surface.

14. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with an indicator, of a longitudinally movable member, an inclined slotted guide carried by the member, a cross-head in said guide, and connections between the cross-head and the indicator. p

15. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, an indicator comprising a member pivoted to turn about axes at right angles to each other to indicate the potential distance and direction of travel of the object, and means independent of the object for actuating the member.

16. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, an indicator comprising a member pivoted to turn about axes at right angles to each. other to indicate the potential distance and direction of travel of the object, and longitudinally movable and rotatable means independent of the object for actuating the member.

17. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, an indicator comprising a member pivoted to turn about axes at right angles to each other to indicate the rpoftential distance and direction of travel of the object, and means independent of the object for actuating the member said means comprising a longitudinally movable and rotatable element, a slotted guide carried by said element, and a cross-head carried by the member and rotatable with the guide for actuating the member about the axes.

18. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, an indicator comprising a projector mounted to turn about vertical and horizontal axes for indicating by a movable spot of light the potential distance and direction of travel of the object, and means controlled by the velocity and direction of travel of the object through a predetermined distance for moving the projector about said axes.

19. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, an indicator comprising a projector mounted to turn about vertical and horizontal axes for indicating by a movable spot of light the potential distance and direction of travel of the object, means for moving the projector about said axes, and a support for the projector movable at right angles to said axes to vary the extent of movements imparted by said means.

20. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of a free object, the combination with an indicator, of devices having a predetermined extent of movement and set in operation when the travel of the object is initiated, and means controlled by the time duration of travel of the object to a predetermined point for utilizing a portion only of the movement of said devices to actuate the indicator.

21. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of flight of a golf ball, the combination with an indicator, of electrically controlled devices for controlling the same including a tee switch comprising a contact, a spring contact member, a pad to support the ball, and a flexible connection between the pad and the spring contact whereby the weight of the ball will hold the spring contact out of engagement with the contact.

22. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of flight of a golf ball, the combination with an indicator, of a tee switch com-l prising a fixed contact, a spring contact member, a pad to support the ball, and a exible connection including an extensible spring between the pad and the spring contact member.

23. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of flight of a golf ball, of a tee switch comprising a fixed contact, a second fixed contact insulated therefrom, a spring contact member insulated from said contacts and adapted to engage therewith, a solenoid having a movable core, connections between the core and the spring contact member, a pad for supporting the ball, and a flexible connection between theV pad and core, and electrical connections for energizing the solenoid to hold the spring contact in engagement with the two fixed contacts.

24. In an apparatus'for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with a curtain, of a series of spaced curtain switches suspended independently of the curtain and adapted one or another to be actuated by the localized distortion of the curtain produced by the impact of the object.

25. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with a flexible curtain, of a flexible member immediately adjacent and disconnected from one face of the curtain, and a switch adapted to be actuated by the distortion of the member caused by the impact of the object on the opposite face of the curtain.

26. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, a iiexible curtain, .a vertically hanging cord adjacent one face of the curtain, a switch supported by the cord having a movable member attached to the cord and supporting the switch, and a spring normally holding the switch inoperatively and yielding to permit actuation of the switch upon the impact of the object on the opposite face of the curtain.

27. In an apparatus for indicating the direction of travel of an object, the combination with a single indicator, of a plurality of solenoids each corresponding to a predetermined direction, means responsive to the direction of the initial travel of the object for energizating the appropriate solenoid, and connections between the solenoids and said indicator.

28. In an apparatus for indicating the direction of travel of an object, the combination with a single indicator, of a plurality of solenoids each corresponding to a predetermined direction, of means responsive to the direction of the initial travel of the object for energizing the appropriate solenoid, and devices controlled by the solenoids for controlling said indicator.

29. In an apparatus for indicating the directio of travel of an object, the combination witha single indicator, of a plurality of solenoids each corresponding to a predetermined direction and each provided with a movable core, means for actuating the indicator, and stop devices controlled by the cores to limit the extent of movement of the indicator actuating mechanism to indicate the direction of travel.

30. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of ight of an object, the combination with an indicator, of means for indicating the normal distance of travel, and supplemental devices adjustable in advance by the operator in accordance with the predetermined wind velocity for varying the action of said means.

31. In an apparatus for indicating the direction of flight of an object, the combination with means for indicating the normal direction of ight, and supplemental devices adjustable in advance by the operator to a predetermined wind direction for the varying of the action of said means.

32. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance and direction of flight of an object, the combination with an indicator, of means controlled by the velocity and direction of a predetermined portion of the night of the object for actuating the indicator to indicate the normal distance and direction of such flight, and supplementary devices adjustable in advance by the operator to a predetermined velocity and direction of Wind for imparting supplemental movement to the indicator.

33. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance and direction of flight of an object, the combination with a projector for indicating by a movable spot of light the distance and direction of such ight, a rotatable and tipping support for the projector, and means for tipping and rotating said support to simulate the effect of the velocity and direction of the wind on the flight of the object. f

34. In an apparatus for indicating the potential travel of an object, the combination with a` screen, of means for projecting on the screen the representation ofV a playing field, a projector for indicating by a spot of light the travel of the object over the. projected field, and meansv responsive to` the. initial portion of travel of the object for controlling the spot light projector.

35. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distanceof travel of an object, the combination Vwith the representation of a playing field, of a pivoted projector for causing a spotlight to travel over said representation to indicate the travelv of the obj ect, means. responsive to the initial velocity of the object for tipping the projector in one direction to indicate the normal travel of the object, andV reversing devices for causing said means to tip, the projector in the opposite` direction to represent the travel of the object in the opposite direction..

36. In an apparatus for indicating the poten--` tial travel of a golf, ball, the combination with a representation of a fairway, of a projector for projecting a spot of light onV such representation, and means for actuatingy the projector to cause the spot of light to travel over the fairway both longitudinally and laterally of such fairway in 1 representation of the distance and direction of travel of the golf ball.

37. In an apparatus for indicating the .potential travel, of a free' golf ball, the combination with a representation of a fairway, of an indicator, and means controlled by the starting and stopping of the free ball for actuating said indicator to indicate on such representation the extent of potential movement ofV a golf ball both longitudinally and laterally of such fairway.

38. In an apparatus for indicating the potential travel of a golf ball, the combination with a curtain to receive the impact of a driven golf ball, of a projector for throwing upon. the curtain a pictorial representation of a fairway, a second projector for throwing a spot ofV light on such projectedV representation, and means for actuating the second projector to cause the spot of light to travel over the representation of the fairway in simulation of the movement of the golf ball' over the same.

39. In an apparatus for indicatingl the potential travel of a golf ball, the combination with a repre sentation of a fairway, of a projector for projecting a spot of light on such representation, and

f means for actuating the projector to cause the spot of light to travel over the fairway in any direction in representation of the distance and direction of travel of the golf ball.

40. In an apparatus for indicating the potentialV distance of travel of an object, the combination with means for stopping the object after a travel of predetermined length, of Vdevices and actuating mechanism for imparting movement tosaid devices, said stopping means initiating the movement of the devices, and means operating in accordance with the duration of time required by the object to travel the predetermined distance for controlling the movement imparted to said devices by the actuating mechanism to indicate'the potential distance of travel of the object.

41. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with an indicator, of means operating in accordance with` the time duration of travel of the object from the initiation thereof to a predetermined point for actuating the indicator in accordance with such time duration to indicate theV potential distance of travel of the object.

42; In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of an object, the combination with aJ projector for indicating by a movable spotv of. light the potential distance of travel of the object, of means for actuating the projector, and devices operating in accordance with the duration of time required by the object to travel a predetermined distance for controlling the operation of said actuating means.

43. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of a golf ball from the tee, the combination with an indicator, of actuating means therefor, and devices set in operation when the ball leaves the tee for controlling the operation of said actuating means.

44. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of flight of an object, the combination with a curtain, of an indicator, means for actuating the indicator, and controlling devices thrown into operation before the object strikes the curtain for throwing the actuating means into operation when the object strikes the curtain.

45. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of travel of a golf ball from the tee, the combination with indicating means, of a tee switch, a curtain switch, and actuating mechanism for the indicator, connections between the tee switch and the actuating mechanism for setting said mechanism in operation when the ball leaves the tee, and connections between the curtain switch and the actuating mechanism for rendering said mechanism operative to .actuate the indicating means.

46. In an apparatus for indicating the potential travel of a golf ball, the combination with a common indicator for indicating both the potential distance of travel of the ball and the lateral deflections from the intended direction of travel, ofra curtain, and actuating means for the indicator, said means operating in accordance with the duration of time required by the ball to travel from tee to curtain to cause the indicator to indicate the distance of travel, and also operating in accordance with the position of impact of the ball on the curtain to cause the indicator to indicate the direction of travel. Y

47. In an apparatus for indicating the potential distance of flight of an object, the combination with an indicator, actuating mechanism therefor, and devices affecting the operation of said mechanism to vary the actuation of the indicator in simulation of the accelerating, retarding, and deecting effects of wind on the flight ofthe object. Y Y

48. In an apparatus for indicating the distance of travel of a free object, the combination with a pivotally mounted device, of means for moving the device about its pivot to indicate the distance of potential travel of the object', mechanism for actuating said means, said mechanism being controlled by the initial portion of travel of the free object, and means for energizing the mechanism independently of the movement of the object.

49. In an apparatus for indicating the distance of travel off a free object, the combination with a device mounted to turn, of actuating mechanism for turning the device to indicate the direction of travel of the free object, said means being controlled in accordance with the direction of initial travel'of the free object and means for energizing the mechanism independently of the movement of the object.

50. In an apparatus for indicating the potential travel of a golf ball, the combination with a curtain to receive a free ball driven from a tee, ofy a representation of a playing field, indicating rou 

